From Biology to Theology: How viruses challenge our perception of good and evil with Christian Virologist Dr Mirjam Schilling
Sep 10, 2024
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Dr. Mirjam Schilling, a postdoctoral virologist and DPhil student in Science and Religion at Oxford, navigates the compelling intersection of science and faith. She discusses the challenges viruses pose to our understanding of good and evil, urging listeners to reconsider suffering's place in creation. Mirjam explores how scientific insights can enrich theological perspectives, delves into the nature of moral versus natural suffering, and advocates for a nuanced understanding of humanity's connection to both science and spirituality.
Dr. Mirjam Schilling emphasizes that studying viruses can deepen our understanding of suffering, prompting a nuanced theological dialogue about creation.
Her journey highlights the compatibility of pursuing a career in science and faith, showcasing how scientific inquiry enriches theological exploration.
Deep dives
Faith and Personal Transformation
Miriam Schilling shares her profound faith journey, beginning in her childhood in Germany. She describes a tumultuous teenage period marked by her father's illness and experiences of bullying, which led her to question her faith and the nature of God. In her search for answers, she began reading the Bible deeply, eventually encountering the message of God's grace in her struggles. This transformative realization shifted her perspective from anxiety and doubt to confidence in God's love, significantly impacting her life and leading her toward a path of academic and personal growth.
The Intersection of Science and Theology
Miriam emphasizes the compatibility of pursuing a medical science career while maintaining her Christian faith. Her fascination with natural sciences and desire to understand the complexities of diseases, especially viruses, did not lead her to doubt God's existence but instead enriched her theological explorations. She argues against the common perception that studying science detracts from faith; rather, she believes it enhances the understanding of creation. Through her doctoral studies in virology and theology, she aims to bridge these often-disparate fields, demonstrating how scientific inquiry can coexist with and inform theological discussions.
Virology's Role in Global Health
In her professional role as a virologist, Miriam discusses her work in virus genomics and the complexities of studying viruses within ecosystems. She leads a lab focused on understanding viral diseases in animals and plants, highlighting how emerging technologies have made it possible to sequence and analyze previously undiscovered viruses. Miriam stresses the importance of translating scientific research into public understanding and applications, particularly during health crises like pandemics. Her work exemplifies the necessity of interdisciplinary collaboration to address global health challenges and emphasizes the relevance of her findings beyond academic circles.
Theological Implications of Viruses
Miriam's PhD research investigates how the existence of viruses can influence theological discourse, particularly regarding suffering and human identity. She suggests that viruses can illustrate the complexity of suffering, which is experienced differently across various ecosystems. By recognizing that suffering can have both negative and beneficial aspects within the natural world, Miriam argues for a more nuanced understanding of God's creation and humanity's place within it. This virus-centric perspective encourages humility and broadens the theological dialogue around creation, suffering, and the nature of life.
🎙️ Today we venture into the intersection of science and faith with Dr. Mirjam Schilling, a postdoctoral virologist and DPhil student in Science and Religion at the University of Oxford. With her unique background in virology and theology, Dr. Schilling grapples with profound questions about the nature of suffering, the existence of God, and how scientific insights can reshape our understanding of good, evil, and the very fabric of life itself. 🌿🧬
As both a scientist and a believer💡Dr. Schilling brings a fresh, nuanced perspective on how viruses—often seen as agents of chaos—can spark meaningful conversations around theodicy, human identity, and the age-old dilemma of why suffering exists. Through the lens of her research, she reveals how these tiny organisms challenge our perceptions of order in creation, while also illuminating credible and scientific reasons to believe in the Christian God in the midst of uncertainty.
🔍 Join us for Part 1 of this captivating conversation, where Mirjam's journey—studying the immune system’s battle with viruses and their theological significance—invites us to rethink some of life's biggest questions. If you’ve ever pondered how science and faith coexist, or why we experience suffering, this episode is for you!
For Mirjam Schilling:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mirjam-schilling-9bbb2b211/
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5386-3609
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Mirjam-Schilling
https://twitter.com/mirjamschilling
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